What is the Best Wood in bending for hull planking

[vmwilson1]

I have just finished by first build (HMS Bounty - not perfect but learned a lot  and will do better on this next build) and have started my second build the San Ildefonso.  When planking the hull for the Bounty, I used the wood strips provided in the kit which were Saplli.  It was difficult to bend the Saplli and the San Ildefonso kit also has Saplli for planking the hull.  Is there a better wood for hull planking that is easier to bend but still has a good look? 

thanks for the help.

 

Vic

 

[Jaager]

Since, no one seems to want to touch this;

 

It is not a contest or a race.  These is no "best". 

 

I prefer hard, closed pore, tight grain, low contrast. 

If I have looked up the correct species in the data base, what you were provided in the kit would be high on my reject list.

The exact species depends-  what color?, what scale?,  bare wood or painted? 

can you mill your own wood? 

You do not list your location.

I think a locally available species is more cost effective.  This is especially true for framing stock. 

A full size 1st rate took a forest to build it.  A model of one can require a lot of wood - especially 1:72 or larger.

[mtaylor]

Sappelli (I think there's 10 or 20 ways to spell it) is, as Jaager says, not a great wood.  It can be worked with heat and steam/water (lots of ways people use).  The biggest problem with any kit wood though is they don't usually get the wood cut parallel to the grain so it splits and breaks. 

[vossiewulf]

To me, the best choices are easy, Castello boxwood and Swiss pear, the primary deciding factor being which color you like better. Although I haven't used the latter, I've watched Kortes bending it about into noodles with steam on his Dutch boier model, and it's a preferred wood of many builders. The only downside is that both are relatively expensive. Look at Crown Timberyard.

[vmwilson1]

Thank all of you for taking time to answer my question.

 

Vossiewulf,

very helpful tip and thank you for the URL for Crown Timberyard. I want the best wood available for the hull of the San Ildefonso ( she is a large model and I want to showcase the hull planking) and cost is not a problem. Since you mentioned Swiss pear, I did some research and found that it might be a great fit for my model. Much nicer than what the kit provided and it appears to be a wood that is easier to work.

[Griphos]

Swiss pear is really a lovely wood for many applications. Holds an edge and details very well. Great for carvings too. 

[druxey]

I agree with pear, although holly bends very well also.

[gjdale]

Similar in some ways to pear in terms of workability, but somewhat less expensive is cherry.